Chambana Sun

City of Urbana Committee of the Whole met May 6

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

The City Council Committee of the Whole of the City of Urbana, Illinois, met in regular session Monday, May 6, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.

ELECTED OFFICIALS PHYSICALLY PRESENT: Diane Wolfe Marlin, Mayor; Darcy Sandefur, City Clerk; CM Maryalice Wu, CM Christopher Evans, CM Shirese Hursey*, CM Jaya Kolisetty, CM Chaundra Bishop, CM Grace Wilken, CM James Quisenberry

*CM PRESENT REMOTELY

ELECTED OFFICIALS ABSENT:

STAFF PRESENT: Seok Hyun Cho, Bourema Ouedraogo, Carol Mitten, William Kolschowsky, John Zeman, Dave Wesner, Tim Cowan

OTHERS PRESENT: David Hays, Vice-Chair of the Urbana Historic Preservation Commission Chair: Christopher Evans, Ward 2

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

With a quorum present, Chair Evans called the meeting of the Urbana City Council to order at 7:00 p.m.

2. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting

a. 04-01-2024 Committee of the Whole Minutes

b. 04-08-2024 City Council Minutes

Motion to approve by CM Wu, seconded by CM Kolisetty.

Voice Vote:

AYE: Wu, Evans, Hursey, Kolisetty, Bishop, Wilken, Quisenberry

NAY: None.

3. Additions to the Agenda

None.

4. Presentations and Public Input

a. Public Input

David Hays shared with City Council details from a press release regarding the open house held on 05-11-2024 by the First United Methodist Church, the Graduate Minor in Inherited Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and the Historic Preservation Commission. Stated that the two ways to join the open house are to meet at the eastern most bay at the Market at the Square at 11:55a.m. and walk over to the First United Methodist Church and to meet directly at the First United Methodist Church at 304 South Church Street with tours expected to begin at 12:30p.m. to explore in depth the history of the building.

b. Mayoral Proclamation: Historic Preservation Month

Presented by Mayor Marlin to David Hays, Chair of the Urbana Historic Preservation Commission. Proclaimed May 2024 as National Preservation Month in the City of Urbana.

Recognized the long service of Alice Novak who has served as Chair of the Urbana Historic Preservation Commission until she had recently stepped down.

c. Mayoral Proclamation: “Here 2 Serve U” Month

Presented by Mayor Marlin. Proclaimed May 2024 as “Here 2 Serve U” Month in honor of dedicated City of Urbana employees encompassing essential services, first responders, safety inspectors, administrative assistants, the City Clerk’s office, and others. Encouraged all residents to familiarize themselves with the functions of municipal services and appreciate the contributions from City professionals toward quality of life.

5. Staff Report

None.

6. New Business

a. Resolution No. 2024-05-021R: A Resolution Approving the Capital Improvement Plan (Fiscal Years 2025-2029) - PW

Presented by Tim Cowan, Director of Public Works and John Zeman, City Engineer. The resolution seeks to approve the Capital Improvement Plan FY 2025-2029 (CIP) which outlines planned projects for the next five fiscal years. John Zeman presented the finalized CIP, noting that a draft was presented previously to Council a month ago. Provided an overview of where the CIP is currently in terms of its timeline. Stated that the changes made to the CIP since it was previously presented in April were minor, dealing with estimated projected expenses for FY2024, ensuring leftover money will be pushed forward to FY2025, and tying the aspects of the CIP to the Mayor/Council Strategic Goals for 2024/2025. Noted that the timeline for the parking lot maintenance project was further developed and included in the finalized version. Introduced and reviewed the public and interactive CIP project map created by the Champaign County GIS Consortium. Provided examples of functions available within the CIP project map to filter displayed projects.

Questions and discussion followed.

Motion to approve to the regular agenda by CM Wilken, seconded by CM Wu. Questions and discussion ensued.

Voice Vote:

AYE: Wu, Hursey, Kolisetty, Bishop, Wilken, Quisenberry

NAY: Evans

b. Resolution No. 2024-05-022R: A Supplemental Resolution for Improvement under the Illinois Highway Code (State Motor Fuel Tax for Florida Avenue Shared-Use Path) - PW

Resolutions No. 2024-05-022R, 2024-05-023R, 2024-05-024R, 2024-05-025R, 2024-05-026R, and 2024-05-027R were presented together by Tim Cowan, Director of Public Works and John Zeman, City Engineer. This resolution seeks to appropriate $40,000 from State Motor Fuel Tax funds for the preliminary engineering services, construction, and construction engineering for a new shared-use path on the south side of Florida Avenue from Lincoln Avenue to Race Street. John Zeman presented the six resolutions and stated that these are administrative steps for the Public Works department to be able to use the State Motor Fuel Tax funds allocated within the CIP by sending resolutions authorizing its use to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). Stated that the purpose is to allow IDOT to verify that the City has adequate balance available before approving the appropriation of State Motor Fuel Tax funds. Explained that the supplemental resolutions are for projects that had resolutions in the past, but require budget increases or require further appropriation of funds for the incoming phase of development. Stated that the appropriations are for FY2025 and not the entirety of a project. Elaborated on each of the projects’ reasonings and appropriation amounts, presenting graphics detailing the area of the project and showing renderings of improvements. Questions and discussion on all six projects ensued.

Motion to combine Resolutions No. 2024-05-022R, 2024-05-023R, 2024-05-024R, 2024-05-025R, 2024-05-026R, and 2024-05-027R into an omnibus by CM Quisenberry, seconded by CM Kolisetty.

Voice Vote:

AYE: Wu, Evans, Hursey, Kolisetty, Bishop, Quisenberry

NAY: None.

Motion to approve the omnibus to the regular agenda by CM Quisenberry, seconded by

CM Wu.

Voice Vote:

AYE: Wu, Evans, Hursey, Kolisetty, Bishop, Quisenberry

NAY: None.

c. Resolution No. 2024-05-023R: A Supplemental Resolution for Improvement under the Illinois Highway Code (State Motor Fuel Tax for Bakers Lane Shared-Use Path) - PW

The resolution seeks to appropriate $110,000 from State Motor Fuel Tax funds for the engineering services, construction, and construction engineering for a new shared-use path on the north side of Washington Street and from Washington Street to Main Street east of Weaver Park. Approved in omnibus, see item b.

d. Resolution No. 2024-05-024R: A Supplemental Resolution for Improvement under the Illinois Highway Code (State Motor Fuel Tax for Colorado Avenue Resurfacing) - PW

The resolution seeks to appropriate $1,690,000 from State Motor Fuel Tax funds for the HMA resurfacing, curb ramp reconstruction for ADA compliance, pavement patching, driveway approach removal/replacement, curb and gutter removal/replacement, and other miscellaneous work incidental to construction on Colorado Avenue from east of South Vine Street to Philo Road. Approved in omnibus, see item b.

e. Resolution No. 2024-05-025R: A Supplemental Resolution for Improvement under the Illinois Highway Code (State Motor Fuel Tax for Boneyard Creek Crossing Bridge Repairs) - PW

The resolution seeks to appropriate $310,000 from State Motor Fuel Tax funds for bridge repairs, including removing and resetting stone masonry façade on concrete abutments, removing and resetting stone masonry blocks along the bank of Boneyard Creek, retrofitting the existing sidewalk superstructure to repair deterioration and mitigate future deterioration, and other miscellaneous work that is associated with the Boneyard Creek Crossing Improvements project and is eligible for State Motor Fuel Tax funds. Approved in omnibus, see item b.

f. Resolution No. 2024-05-026R: A Resolution for Improvement under the Illinois Highway Code (State Motor Fuel Tax for Springfield Avenue, Wright Street to Gregory Street, Resurfacing) – PW

The resolution seeks to appropriate $1,430,000 from State Motor Fuel Tax funds for asphalt resurfacing with roadway rehabilitation for Springfield Avenue from Wright Street to Gregory Street. Approved in omnibus, see item b.

g. Resolution No. 2024-05-027R: A Resolution for Improvement under the Illinois Highway Code (State Motor Fuel Tax for Vine Street and Illinois Street Improvements) – PW

The resolution seeks to appropriate $370,000 from State Motor Fuel Tax funds for pavement rehabilitation with potential road diet and pedestrian improvements for Vine Street from south of Main Street to north of California Avenue and for Illinois Street from east of Race Street to Urbana Avenue. Approved in omnibus, see item b.

7. Discussion

a. Ward Maps Continuing Discussion

Mayor Marlin provided an overview on the current state of the ward map selection process, stating that nine ward maps have been proposed and City Council has been provided a rubric for assisting in ranking the maps and selecting a top three for further consideration.

William Kolschowsky shared the results of the ranking conducted by each City Councilmember and Mayor Marlin with map eight being the highest ranked, map seven being the second highest ranked, and map nine being the third highest ranked. Mayor Marlin confirmed with City Council which maps to put forward for public review and comment between Wednesday, May 8th to Friday, May 24th with final consensus being reached on 05-28-2024 City Council meeting. Council reached consensus on putting maps seven, eight, and nine to put forward for public consideration and the benefits of providing multiple options over putting a single map forward. CM Wu raised concerns regarding map seven’s redistricting of Ward 1 and how University of Illinois employees are banned from conducting any personal campaigning on campus as the proposed Ward 1 contains few blocks capable of being campaigned in by University of Illinois employees. Council discussed the potential for significant changes and impacts to neighborhoods and constituents as a result of ward remapping, as well as the benefits and pitfalls of these potential changes or attempts to retain a traditional historic ward shape. CM Wilken requested access to historical ward maps to view historical shapes for reference. CM Bishop raised the point that Councilmembers must communicate that these significant changes are coming to their constituents so that they are all able to understand. Council consensus was reached that the Committee meeting on June 3rd would be the time for final consideration of a final ward map rather than May 24th to ensure all were able to participate.

8. Council Input and Communications

CM Hursey reminded residents in the Dr. Ellis Subdivision to submit the necessary release forms to the Urbana Public Works department for participating in the lateral sewer relining project despite it being past the original due date.Mayor Marlin thanked CM Hursey for following up on the lateral sewer relining outreach. Noted that the apples received by City Council today were provided by HMart and the construction for the building began today. Invited the public and City Council to attend the Mayoral Recognition event on 05-08-2024 to recognize the volunteer work done by students supported by their families, teachers, mentors, and supporters. Provided an update on the work done with the Champaign County First advocacy project conducted at Washington D.C. over two days which covered nine projects with meetings held with various agencies and elected officials. Thanked the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce for spearheading the project and the local delegates that assisted with advocacy.

9. Adjournment

With no further business before the committee of the whole Chair Evans adjourned the meeting at 8:12 p.m.

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